Jacob deGrom's RBI single and eight strong innings not enough in 2-1 loss to the Braves

Jacob deGrom on his outing in the 2-1 loss to Atlanta
Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt

Atlanta Braves' Johan Camargo (17) celebrates with third base coach Ron Washington (37) after hitting a home run as New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom, left, stands on the mound during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 in New York.(Photo: Bill Kostroun, AP)

NEW YORK -- The Mets' lack of support for Jacob deGrom has become so extreme that he has to drive in runs to even have a shot at a win.

He did that Friday with an RBI single, and yet the Mets still fell short.

An RBI single and eight strong innings were not enough to prevent deGrom from losing his third straight start as the Mets fell to the Braves, 2-1, at Citi Field. DeGrom (5-7) allowed two runs in eight innings, and has lost a career high five straight decisions.

The Mets (44-63) are now 3-11 against Atlanta, including 0-5 at Citi Field.

"I don’t like losing baseball games. It’s not something I ever wanted to get used to it. Nobody in here likes losing," deGrom said. "Ask anyone if they had fun losing that game? I don’t think they’d say yes. We have struggled and that’s the bottom line there.”

Where's the support?

The Mets struggle to score on most nights, but they particularly fail to deliver when deGrom is starting. DeGrom has been brilliant this year and is a top candidate for the Cy Young, but his teammates' inability to support him could ultimately cost him the award.

New York Mets' Amed Rosario scores on a single by Jacob deGrom as Atlanta Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki cannot handle the throw during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, in New York.(Photo: Bill Kostroun, AP)

It seems to be coming down to deGrom (1.85 ERA) and Max Scherzer (15-5, 2.33) for the award, and Scherzer could win 20 games while deGrom may not reach 10. No starting pitcher has ever won the Cy Young with less than 13 wins in a full season.

DeGrom is stuck on five wins with the Mets having scored eight runs in the 51 innings he has pitched in his last seven starts. He is 0-5 in that stretch despite a 2.47 ERA, and has received only three runs in his three starts since the All-Star break.

In Friday's loss, he drove in the Mets' only run.

With the Mets trailing 1-0 in the third, deGrom connected for an RBI single up the middle to even the game at 1. The Mets put two on with one out that inning, but Jose Bautista and Michael Conforto struck out to end the threat. It marked their last scoring chance.

"I was trying to get a hit to score a run," deGrom said. "My batting average isn't great."

Atlanta Braves left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) celebrates scoring a run with Braves manager Brian Snitker (43) against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Citi Field.(Photo: Adam Hunger, Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports)

The Mets tallied both of their hits off Anibal Sanchez that inning, and also managed their only at-bats with a runner in scoring position.

“Early in the game, I felt like we were going to get to the guy. We hit some balls hard," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "It gets deeper, and then you get a little frustrated and start feeling that you’re letting Jacob down a little bit.”

Did enough to win

DeGrom also did his part on the mound by limiting a stout lineup on a night when it seemed he did not have his best stuff early. Atlanta put at least one runner on base in each of the first five innings before deGrom found his groove and dominated.

Johan Camargo's solo shot in the second scored the game's first run, and back-to-back doubles by Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies plated the winning run in the fifth.

Following Albies' double, deGrom retired the final 10 Braves he faced before his night ended with his spot due up in the eighth with the Mets still trailing by one run. DeGrom allowed just six hits while walking one batter and striking out nine.

"Good pitch (to Camargo)," deGrom said. "He had to be looking for it."

New York Mets third baseman Todd Frazier, right, tags out Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. to complete a double play to end the top of the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 in New York.(Photo: Bill Kostroun, AP)

Friday marked deGrom's fifth start against Atlanta, and the Mets are now 0-5 in those starts despite deGrom posting a 1.09 ERA in those outings.

A starting pitcher can only do so much.

“Every time I go out there I’m trying to put us in a position to win and we haven’t won baseball games when I’m pitching," deGrom said. "It’s not like these guys aren’t trying to put up runs. It seems like whenever I’m out there we’re not able to score enough to win.”